Bland. Every dramatic reveal was like about as dramatic as the house of mirrors at a local fair where puffs of smoke would occasionally blow onto your face.

I was a little worried when people said that it didn't deserve the fantasy label, but I think it does. It's set in a completely different world. And just because that's about as fantastical as it gets doesn't mean that it's not fantasy.

It's funny how as I was reading this book, I watched a review by Cindy Pham (readingwithcindy on YouTube) on the Six of Crows, and how she was impressed that Leigh Bardugo was able to flesh out 6 different characters whereas most books could only flesh out 2. And yeah, there's a cast of characters in Scavenge the Stars where only 2 people were fleshed out between 3 characters (Boon, Amaya, and Cayo).

I get it, Amaya and Cayo are the main characters, so they get to be fleshed out, so I'm not bothered by that at all. I'm more bothered about the fact that

Spoiler

Boon is supposed to the villain of the story, and he's doesn't feel all that dangerous. In fact, I didn't feel like anyone was in danger at all except maybe that one bit where we saw Bas' eyes. THAT whole scene helped establish the Slum King as THE SLUM KING. AFER THAT, I was always worried for Cayo's character because he kept doing dangerous shit without properly covering his tracks (which is always an indication that no consequence would befall the character, but I was still scared for him anyways). AND THEN ROMARA JUST RUINS THAT ENTIRE SUSPENSE WITH "dOn'T wOrRy I cOnViNcEd My DaDdy To SpArE yOuR lIfE". WHAT!? IF I'M SUPPOSED TO MORE SCARED OF ROMARA THAN THE SLUM KING, then I don't know what to feel. I love Romara even though she's just an outline as this point, but dangerous is not what I'm getting from this girl.

Anyways, the ending was supposed to be great. And iconic. It wasn't. And I'm glad because that means I'm not interested to pursue the 2nd book with great disdain.

+2 stars for:
-building an anticipation and suspense for something amazing that was supposed to come around every chapter, but oh no, the book ended
-Romara (oh how little there was of her, and yet so much unexplored potential)
-Roach. I think I only like him because of how chill he is. And he's barely even in the book at all
-Amaya being a badass. I can FEEL the badass radiating through the pages that would make Tissaia de Vries proud.
-killing characters I couldn't care less about and in effect focusing more energy onto the characters already there

DNF

Ok so I started this book today, and Dnf'ed at about 50%. Their is nothing wrong with this book. The characters were fine, the world was ok, the writing was good, but I could give ZERO, NADA, NONE, shits about anyone, anything, or anywhere.

Will definitely try Tara Sims other series though

3.5 stars

Decent story, moves quickly. Felt a bit jerk-y in places, like the plot jumps a bit without much between it, and I know events are supposed to be murky but it felt.... a bit off. Definitely some insta-love/infatuation which is something I'm not a fan of. Quick read as well, so that's a bonus. Overall not really here nor there, no strong feelings either way and I don't feel super invested in the characters or plot.